Beijing Suburban Railway Line S2 traversed through a sea of flowers in light mist, with vibrant peach and apricot blossoms standing out against the distant, elusive mountains, creating a unique and captivating picture. On April 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, hosted a special event. Nearly 50 female ambassadors and senior diplomats, along with over 70 foreign female journalists in China, were invited to board a “train bound for spring”. This excursion took them to Yanqing District, initiating a splendid journey in spring that integrated Beijing’s natural landscape, history, culture, magnificent gardens, and memories of the Winter Olympics.
The springtime journey officially began as the train, newly painted with a floral pattern, slowly pulled out of Huangtudian Railway Station. Expectant diplomats and foreign journalists engaged in lively conversations, filling the carriage with laughter. As the train progressed between Nankou and Badaling Stations, the slopes on either side became increasingly adorned with spring blossoms, prompting everyone to take out their phones to capture the moment. Erika Lizardo, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Peru in China, immersed herself in this delightful experience, remarking, “Through the train window, we can see flowers in full bloom on nearby mountains and the winding Great Wall in the distance. It is pleasant to witness such breathtaking scenery along the way.”
The first stop in Yanqing was Beijing Expo Park. The semi-circular Chinese Pavilion stands tall at the heart of the park, featuring a wooden gable roof, a traditional architectural design that enables rainwater to flow into the courtyard from four directions, as well as advanced green technologies of rainwater collection and earth to air heat exchanger. These showcase how eco-friendly principles are applied seamlessly to traditional Chinese architecture. With the Chinese Pavilion by the beautiful Guishui River as the backdrop, diplomats and foreign journalists captured memorable moments with their cameras.
At the Yongning Pavilion, the tallest building in the park, a Chinese-style fashion show captivated diplomats and foreign journalists. Accompanied by melodious traditional opera performances at the start, models adorned in traditional Chinese attire and modern clothing incorporating elements of ink painting, embroidery, blue-and-white porcelain, and water sleeves, gracefully descended from the pavilion, exuding the charm of Oriental aesthetics with each step. Paulette Bethel, Ambassador of the Bahamas to China, used the word “beautiful” twice to describe the fashion show and expressed her appreciation for the cultural connotations and unique beauty of Chinese clothing. “It was a magnificent visual feast, from the design of the garments to the interactive performances.”
The Yanqing Olympic Zone served as the venue for the alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and luge events of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. A midday spring rain enveloped the mountains in mist as diplomats and foreign journalists boarded cable cars to ascend to the summit of Xiaohaituo Mountain, which stands at over 2,000 meters above sea level. The steadily ascending cable cars amazed Monuina Cameron, a reporter at Cook Islands Television, who exclaimed, “It is such an interesting experience to be surrounded by clouds and navigate through rocky cliffs.” As the altitude increased, the National Sliding Centre came into full view, and the theme song of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, The Snowflake, filled the cable cars with its melodious tune, reviving fond memories of the Games.
As the temperature rose, the mist dissipated, revealing a panoramic view of distant peaks amidst floating clouds. Diplomats, foreign journalists, and their Chinese companions gathered to take a group photo. “We hope this trip to Yanqing leaves everyone with unforgettable memories,” “Looking forward to meeting you again,” and “We welcome everyone to explore more of Beijing.” Event organizers extended warm invitations to participants for another wonderful journey together in the future.
